THE sun was out in full force for the official opening of The Well, in Cowdenbeath.

Local residents popped by to find out more about The Well and chat with health and social care staff, housing colleagues, representatives from voluntary groups and local councillors and MSP, Annabelle Ewing, about what matters to them and the support available locally.

The Well in Cowdenbeath is the latest Well to open in Fife, which is an information point for the community to pop in to for an informal chat and leave with the advice and support they need to make choices on their health, social care and wellbeing needs.

Fiona McKay, Head of Strategic Planning, Performance and Commissioning said: “The Well is a one-stop information point, which will provide the people of Cowdenbeath with the opportunity to chat with various health professionals and representatives from voluntary groups on how we can help our communities to live well and independently for as long as possible. "It was great to see so many people stopping to chat and I’m sure The Well will make a difference in supporting local residents speak to the right person first time.”

Chair of the Fife Health & Social Care Partnership Integration Joint Board, Benarty, Lochgelly and Cardenden Councillor, Rosemary Liewald in launching the Cowdenbeath Well, added: “Bringing together local people and staff from health and social care and community organisations under the one roof is a great way of partnership working. "Getting to the heart of what matters to our communities and how we can help is key to working together to deliver excellent service. "It’s heartening to see the passion and commitment here today which will be of great benefit to the community.”

The Well in Cowdenbeath is open every Tuesday from 11am to 1pm, at The Clearing, 239 High Street, Cowdenbeath. No appointment necessary – just pop in.

A regular at The Well is Angela Roy, who is a social worker with the Health & Social Care Partnership: “We’re hoping that local residents will pop in and see us. "We’re here to help but we can only do that when we know what people need and want. "This can be anything from information on equipment that will help them stay at home safely to local interest groups and organisations, every person that crosses our door we will aim to help and make a difference."

Joining Rosemary Liewald (centre) at the launch were, Tracy Harley, Ainsley Dryburgh, Fiona McKay, Pauline Gear and Angela Roy.